Should you remove your window screen in cooler weather?

October 18, 2017

Even though it can be difficult to let go of the beautiful summer season, the fall season in Tucson is perfect for opening up your windows and letting in the fresh air that may have been too humid a few weeks ago. The fall is a eventful time—children head back to school, yard work and house cleaning increases—but there’s one thing that you won’t want to forget on your to-do list: washing and/or taking off your window screens for the cooler season.

Window screens are really important in the summer time for blocking heat, having your windows open without letting in debris, and also helping to keep your home energy efficient. However, in the colder months, windows screens play a different role in your home’s energy efficiency and may be better removed from your windows. Here’s the reason:

Letting in more natural light—Window screens are just one added barrier for much wanted natural light throughout the dreary winter months. Eliminating your window screens will allow for that much more light to enter your home.

Reducing snow buildup with exterior screens—When a massive winter wind whips up snow and directs it to your windows, not having an exterior window screen helps reduce the amount of snow that can get stuck between your screen and window.

Enhancing solar heat gain—Window screens can block not only light from reaching your home, but heat, as well. Heat from the sun helps through the winter days to keep your home energy efficient and warm. A study from Midcoast Green Collaborative showed that leaving screens on throughout winter blocked about 30–40 percent of heat from the sun that would’ve entered the home.

Now that you have this background, it’s a great time to ask yourself, “should I remove my window screens before winter hits?” As technology has improved, removing window screens has become more of a style preference instead of a necessity. With double- or triple-pane windows, homeowners no longer need to take additional steps to improve their energy efficiency in Tucson’s colder weather. However, you still have the natural light, snow buildup, and improved energy efficiency to ponder with your window screens—the choice is all yours.

If you have any more questions about window screens, energy-efficient replacement windows or other questions about seasonal changes that affect your windows, give the team at Pella Windows and Doors a call at 520-989-3300, check out our Tucson showroom or schedule an appointment with us online.